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Trader associations and urban food systems in Ghana: institutionalist approaches to understanding urban collective action

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  • Fergus Lyon

Abstract

This article explores the activities and functioning of urban food trader associations in Ghana. These associations are strong indigenous groups of women traders who have been able to sustain cooperation over many years in contrast to many other forms of collective action. They shape urban food systems and link urban consumers with rural producers. The analysis relates the findings to the literature on socio‐economics, institutional economics and collective action. Of particular interest are the social relations and networks within associations that allow traders to access informal credit and information with contracts based on trust. The factors that contribute to the ability to sustain collective action are explored. These include leadership structures and acceptance of the authority of market queens by other women traders, as well as the need to have the benefits that come from membership of associations. Cet article porte sur les activités et le fonctionnement d'associations urbaines de commerce alimentaire au Ghana. Il s'agit de puissants groupes autochtones de marchandes qui ont pu préserver une coopération sur de nombreuses années, contrairement à bien d'autres formes d'action collective. Ces associations configurent les systèmes d'approvisionnement des villes, reliant consommateurs urbains et producteurs ruraux. L'analyse rapproche résultats et références documentaires en socio‐économie, économie institutionnelle et action collective. On soulignera les relations et réseaux sociaux au sein des associations, lesquels permettent aux commerçantes d'accéder à des sources parallèles d'information et de crédit sur la base de contrats de confiance. L'article étudie les facteurs facilitant la pérennisation d'une action collective, notamment les structures de leadership et la reconnaissance de l'autorité de reines du marché par d'autres commerçantes, ainsi que la nécessité de tirer des avantages de l'appartenance à ces associations.

Suggested Citation

  • Fergus Lyon, 2003. "Trader associations and urban food systems in Ghana: institutionalist approaches to understanding urban collective action," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 11-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:27:y:2003:i:1:p:11-23
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-2427.00428
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    1. Kamrath, Carolin & Rajendran, Srinivasulu & Nenguwo, Ngoni & Afari-Sefa, Victor & Broring, Stefanie, 2018. "Adoption behavior of market traders: an analysis based on Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(6), July.
    2. Gina Porter & Fergus Lyon & Deborah Potts, 2007. "Market institutions and urban food supply in West and Southern Africa," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 7(2), pages 115-134, April.
    3. Alison Brown & Michal Lyons & Ibrahima Dankoco, 2010. "Street Traders and the Emerging Spaces for Urban Voice and Citizenship in African Cities," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(3), pages 666-683, March.
    4. James Heintz & Gerald Epstein, 2006. "Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Reform For Employment Creation and Poverty Reduction in Ghana," Working Papers wp113, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
    5. Tanja D. Hendriks & Rafael Verbuyst & Mayke Kaag, 2022. "Fraught with Friction: Inclusive Development for Informal Workers in Urban Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(5), pages 2305-2323, October.
    6. George Owusu, 2008. "The Role of Small Towns in Regional Development and Poverty Reduction in Ghana," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 453-472, June.
    7. Nkoyo Etim Bassey & Arnim Kuhn & Hugo Storm, 2018. "Are maize marketers averse to quality loss in supplies? A case study from Ghana," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(5), pages 649-658, September.
    8. Foster Opoku & David Forkuor & Kabila Abass, 2023. "Toward maximising profits from markets: an analysis of the management structure of markets in Kumasi, Ghana," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Gerald Epstein & James Heintz, 2006. "Monetary Policy and Financial Sector Reform for Employment Creation and Poverty Reduction in Ghana," Research Report 2, International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth.

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